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Stop Campus Hazing

Student Conduct

Hazing is strictly prohibited. No individual should ever be subjected to, or take part in, any form of hazing. Such behavior is unacceptable and has no place in building positive relationships or a healthy community.

Remaining silent or failing to act in the presence of hazing—whether through passive participation or by not reporting known or suspected incidents—contributes to the harm. Every member of our community shares the responsibility to foster a culture of accountability and care.

UNCW will respond to reports of hazing received from any source. When hazing complaints are received, the university will determine whether to proceed with campus disciplinary action, forward a report to appropriate law enforcement officials for prosecution as a criminal matter, or both. Individuals who voluntarily or involuntarily inflict or participate in hazing behaviors are subject to such action.

Report Hazing

UNCW encourages the reporting of incidents of hazing and takes all reports seriously. If you witness or suspect any form of hazing, please report it to the university through one of methods listed below. Reporting concerns helps maintain a safe, respectful and supportive community.

Anonymously

  1. Submit a Hazing Incident Report Form
  2. Call University Police at 910-962-8477(TIPS)
  3. Submit an anonymous report via University Police web page - Anonymous Reporting | UNCW

Email Reporting

  1. Email hazing@uncw.edu

In Person to the following offices

  1. Human Resources- Administrative Annex, Suite 1046
  2. Office of the Dean of Students, DePaolo Hall, Suite 1092
  3. University Police Department - 5126 Lionfish Drive
Hazing Incident Reporting Form

North Carolina General Statute - NCGS § 14-35 (Harrison's Law)

It is unlawful for any student in attendance at any university, college, or school in this State to engage in hazing, or to aid or abet any other student in the commission of this offense. Any violation of this subsection shall constitute a Class A1 misdemeanor.

It is unlawful for any school personnel, including, but not limited to, a teacher, school administrator, student teacher, school safety officer, or coach at any university, college, or school in this State to engage in hazing or to aid or abet any person in the commission of this offense. Any violation of this subsection shall constitute a Class I felony.

For the purposes of this section, hazing is defined as subjecting a student to physical or serious psychological injury as part of an initiation, or as a prerequisite to membership, into any organized school group, including any society, athletic team, fraternity or sorority, or other similar group. (Harrison’s Law – North Carolina General Statute §14-35)

If a matter is reported to law enforcement, the individual involved may be subject to criminal investigation and potential legal action in accordance with applicable laws.

Code of Student Life

Hazing at UNCW is strictly prohibited and is defined as:

Any intentional or unintentional, voluntary or involuntary, reckless action, occurring on or off campus, by an individual student, group, organization, or other persons associated with an organization, whether officially recognized by the university or not, in connection to recruitment, initiation, rite of passage, membership, or maintenance of membership, in any group or organization, including but not limited to, a fraternal organization, sport club, group, registered or unregistered organization, or athletic team, that subjects any other member of the university community to activity which creates an atmosphere for potential or actual humiliation, degradation, verbal, emotional or physical distress, abuse or injury, or compromises the academic mission and/or reputation of the university.

Examples of Hazing

  • Blindfolding activities that serve no constructive purpose, including parading in public areas or transporting
  • Burning, branding, or tattooing any part of the body
  • Confinement
  • Exposure to uncomfortable elements
  • Forced consumption of alcohol or any other substance, legal or illegal
  • Forced servitude, including but not limited to serving as a designated driver
  • Kidnapping (taking individuals to an undisclosed location)
  • Sleep Deprivation
  • Tests of Endurance
  • Verbal Abuse

Please note: This is not an exhaustive list of all activities and actions that may be considered hazing. Should you have questions or desire clarification, please contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 910.962.3119.

INQUIRY AND INVESTIGATION OF HAZING ALLEGATIONS

Allegations of hazing will result in inquiries and/or investigations by the Office of the Dean of Students in coordination with the Office of Human Resources, if applicable.

  1. Allegations of hazing perpetrated by an individual warranting an investigation shall follow the investigative procedures outlined in the Code of Student Life Section II-2-B. Possible sanctions can range from disciplinary probation to expulsion.
    1. Allegations of hazing that involve acts of sexual misconduct and interpersonal violence shall follow the investigative procedures outlined in 02.210 Title IX Grievance Policy, 04.130 Student Gender-Based Sexual Misconduct Policy, or 02.205 Unlawful Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy.
  2. Allegations of hazing perpetrated by a student organization warranting an investigation shall follow the investigative procedures outlined in the Code of Student Life Section IV-9. Possible sanctions can range from disciplinary probation to suspension for the organization, in addition to charges against individual actors.
  3. Allegations of hazing perpetrated by an employee warranting an investigation shall follow the investigative procedures outlined in 02.205 Unlawful Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy. Violations of UNCW Policy on Hazing Prevention and Reporting by an employee may result in disciplinary action up to and including separation in accordance with applicable university policies and procedures.

Campus Hazing Transparency Report

The university will publish a “Campus Hazing Transparency Report” to disclose all reported incidents of hazing for which a finding of responsibility was issued against an established or registered student organization (RSO). This report will be published, at least two times a year, on this website. The report will include: 

  • The name of the organization. 
  • The date hazing was reported to have happened. 
  • A brief description of the incident.
  • The dates the university started and finished the investigation.
  • The date the university determined that hazing did occur. 
  • The date the university informed the organization they were found responsible for hazing.
  • Any sanction(s) the organization received from the university.

Each new incident shall remain on the web page for at least five years after the date the organization was told they were found responsible. Any finding of hazing by the national organization is also included. Hazing statistics are also included in the Annual Security Report. 

 

Established or Registered Student Organizations

Date of Incidents: Fall 2024 semester and January 2025

Date Investigation was Initiated: February 19, 2025

Date of Responsible Finding (Resolution Date): May 1, 2025

Notice of Outcome to Organization: May 1, 2025

Policy Violation: Code of Student Life, Section II-1-7:

Engages in Hazing. Hazing by university groups is prohibited on and off campus. Hazing is defined as covert or overt action, occurring on or off campus, by an individual or group of individuals in connection to recruitment, initiation, rite of passage, or membership in a fraternity, sorority, UNCW sports club, group, organization, or athletic team; that subjects any other member of the university community, voluntarily or involuntarily, to activity which creates an atmosphere for potential or actual humiliation, degradation, verbal, emotional or physical distress, abuse or injury; or compromises the academic mission and/or reputation of the university.

Description of Incidents:

The university concluded that new members experienced being placed in a room and blindfolded while music was played at a high volume (this occurred twice during fall 2024 and twice during spring 2025); made to raise the flag at an off-campus house; required to meet at a local restaurant and run on the beach for a mile, were quizzed on fraternity history and were required to perform calisthenics at times; required to consume odd types of food; cleaned two off-campus residences; were blindfolded and driven in a car to an unknown location (fall 2024); provided rides to brothers on weekends; and, would get in an ice bath after running on the beach and/or be hosed down by a garden hose.

Outcome: Suspension through May 1, 2027.

Resources